3 resume examples that will land you a job in 2024

A resume is a short document that summarizes your work history and skills.

It’s also much more than that. A resume markets your qualifications to future employers and lets them know you’re right for the job.

Job seekers often struggle with resume writing, but it doesn’t have to be difficult. This article gives you the tips you need to write the perfect resume.

Check out these 3 resume examples to see what a winning resume should look like.

What are the 4 types of resumes?

All resumes have the same purpose: to showcase the skills and experience that make you a good fit for the position. There are a few different ways you can structure the resume.

Chronological resumes

This is the most common type of resume. On a chronological resume, each section is written in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent job and working back to older ones. This is a great resume format if you’ve had recent jobs in the field that the job you're applying to is in.

One problem with chronological resumes is that they can draw attention to employment gaps or a lack of work experience.

Functional resume

If you have gaps in your work history, are changing careers, or you’re inexperienced, you might want to consider a functional resume.

A functional resume is organized by skill rather than by date. For example, you might have a category for “customer service skills” and another for “administrative support skills.”

The downside of a functional resume is that most employers expect to see your past jobs listed clearly on a resume. If you use a functional resume, they might worry that you’re covering up a spotty work history.

Combination resume

A combination resume blends elements of functional resumes and chronological resumes. It’s a good way to focus on your relevant skills while still showcasing your professional experience.

The only negative side of a combination resume is that it can get too long. If you’ve had a lot of jobs in your field, it might be best to stick with the chronological format.

Targeted resume

A targeted resume is completely tailored to a specific job.

All resumes should be customized, but a targeted resume takes it to the next level. Every point mentioned on the resume should relate to the job description.

A targeted resume can be chronological, functional, or combination.

There are also other, less traditional resume formats, including video resumes, infographics, or resumes on business cards.

You should only use a creative resume format if the employer asks for it or if it’s common in your industry.

How do you write a good resume?

Tip 1. Customize your resume

If you’re applying to multiple jobs, you should customize your resume for each one. That doesn’t mean you have to redo everything — just make some minor tweaks.

A good start is to look at the job description or company website. The things you emphasize in your resume should match the main focus of the position.

Tip 2. Be selective

Recruiters spend an average of 7.4 seconds reading each resume.

To make sure they see the important parts of yours, only include your most relevant experience and skills. Try to put your most impressive qualifications near the top of the resume in case the hiring manager doesn’t have time to read the whole thing.

Tip 3. Integrate keywords

Before your resume can be evaluated by a hiring manager, it often has to get through software called an applicant tracking system (ATS), or applicant screening system.

In fact, 75% of resumes are never seen by a real person.

You can increase your resume’s chance of making it past the ATS filter by using keywords directly from the job description.

Tip 4. Use a simple format

Fancy design elements or interesting fonts might look pretty, but they could hurt your chances of getting hired.

When you upload your resume to a job application system, the formatting is usually stripped out, and some of your text might be lost with it. A creative design also makes it hard for the ATS to screen the document.

Tip 5. Proofread

Typos or bad grammar in a resume are a deal breaker for 77% of hiring managers. It’s never a bad idea to get a friend to proofread your resume or run it through an online grammar checker.

3 resume examples that will land you your dream job

Take a look at these 3 sample resumes for ideas about how to write yours. Even if you’re in a different industry, your resume will follow a similar format.

Note that each resume starts with a summary of the applicant’s qualifications and strong points. Use this to catch the attention of a hiring manager before they even read the details of the resume.

Office resume example

If you’re looking for a job in an office setting, your resume should demonstrate that you have:

• Organizational skills
• Time-management skills
• Communication and customer service skills
• Basic computer literacy

While abilities like the ones above are transferable across most industries, make sure you read the job description carefully and tailor your resume to the specific skills required for the position.

Sample resume for office job

Ann Atwood
Boston, MA
(555) 123-4567
[email protected]

Qualifications Summary

Administrative assistant with 6 years of experience handling tasks like scheduling, invoicing, and communications. Aiming to find a managerial role at your company.

Professional Experience

Administrative Assistant
JMD International, 2017–present, Boston, MA

• Coordinated meetings and managed calendars

• Scheduled travel and helped plan corporate retreats

• Set up and managed filing systems

• Prepared billing/invoices

• Compiled yearly reports

Administrative Assistant
Bob's Cleaning, 2015–2017, Boston, MA

• Answered and directed phone calls

• Scheduled appointments

• Wrote email, memos, and letters

• Acted as the point of contact for clients

Education

AA in Office Administration from Southwestern College, 2014

Skills

• MS Office Suite

• QuickBooks

• Scheduling

• Process Improvement

Retail resume example

Retail jobs can require a wide variety of talents. You should be able to provide excellent customer service and make sales. You might also need some technical skills like operating a cash register or POS system.

Each retail job calls for a different mix of these skills.

Read the job listing to find out which retail skills are important for the job you’re applying to and emphasize those on your resume.

Try to quantify your past results if possible. For example, mention your typical sales numbers or how many customers you helped in a day.

Sample resume for retail job

Kurt Shelley
Austin, TX
(555) 765-4321
[email protected]
linkedin.com/in/kurtshelley/

Professional Summary

Accomplished and resourceful sales associate who loves helping customers. Experience in clothing and furniture sales. Three-time highest performing sales associate of the year.

Skills

• Customer service

• Team management

• POS systems

• Handling money and transactions

• Problem-solving

Retail Experience

Sales Associate
L&G Fashion Outlet, 2014–present, Austin, TX

• Actively engaged customers by providing knowledge on fabrics, fit, and function of the products

• Met and regularly exceeded sales quotas

• Assisted with replenishing merchandise, store layout, and merchandise recovery

• Responsible for closing store three nights per week

Sales Floor Team Member
Anderson Furniture, 2009–2014, Austin, TX

• Provided prompt and friendly service to 20+ customers per day

• Answered guest questions about merchandise

• Helped keep sales floor clean and attractive

Education

Northern College BA in Communications, 2005

• Graduated Magna Cum Laude

Hospitality resume example

The hospitality industry includes food and beverage services, travel and tourism, lodging, and recreation. Although these categories all require different skills, all hospitality jobs are essentially about service.

Hospitality employees often interact with customers closely, so emphasize your people skills and communication ability.

Sample resume for hospitality job

Isaac Bradbury
Minneapolis, MN
(555) 321-321
[email protected]

Profile

Hotel manager with 20 years of experience. Excels at leadership, managing operations, and guest services.

Professional Experience

Hotel General Manager
Grand Royal Hotel, 2010–2020, Minneapolis, MN

• Sold hotel rooms through direct client contact

• Managed the front office, housekeeping, and food and beverage operations

• Hired, mentored, and led teams

• Ensured property was in accordance with all brand standards and legal compliance

Guest Services Specialist
Grand Royal Hotel, 2003–2010, Minneapolis, MN

• Answered phone and email

• Handled check ins and check outs

• Communicated with guests about hotel features, services, and rates

Hospitality internship
Bear Lake Lodge, 2000, Big Marsh, MN

• Provided guest services by phone, email, and in person

• Helped guests find items in gift shop

• Prepared rooms for arrival

Education

East College of Business
BA in Hotel Management, 1999

Resume FAQs

Should I list every job on my resume?

Not necessarily. The purpose of your resume is to demonstrate why you’re qualified for the position. If an old job isn’t relevant to the job you’re applying for, leave it off of the resume and save space for more important information.

That doesn’t mean that you can’t include jobs from a different industry if you think those jobs highlight relevant skills.

Can a resume be more than two pages long?

Most resumes should only be one page. If you’ve been in the workforce for a long time and have held many relevant jobs, it’s okay to have a two-page resume.

It should never be longer than two pages. Hiring managers are busy and want your resume to be a quick read.

What’s more important, my resume or my cover letter?

Your resume and cover letter work together. The resume details your work history and abilities while the cover letter explains how those qualities make you perfect for the job.

Your cover letter is also your chance to explain anything in your resume that may raise questions, such as gaps in employment.

Some recruiters care more about the resume while others focus on the cover letter. Also, cover letters are sometimes optional while a resume almost never is. But for best results, you should always submit both.

Your resume is an incredibly important part of your job search. Fortunately, it’s not hard to create. Use the tips and examples above to write your next resume and you’re sure to make a great impression on your future employer.